Exporting a Norwegian-Registered Car 2026: Statens Vegvesen Export Application and Engangsavgift Refund
Quick answer: Exporting a Norwegian-registered car requires: 1) export application via Statens Vegvesen, 2) potential refund of engangsavgift (registration tax) — significant for newer cars, 3) registration in destination country. Within EEA the process is straightforward; outside EEA (UK after Brexit, USA) import duties and VAT apply. Plan 4-6 weeks ahead.
Key takeaways
- Export application Statens Vegvesen mandatory.
- Engangsavgift refund based on age — newer cars get bigger refund.
- EEA: no customs; outside: import duty + VAT.
- Register 30-90 days in new country.
- Insurance overlap 30-60 days typically.
Statens Vegvesen export procedure: from avregistrering to foreign plates
Exporting a Norwegian-registered vehicle is administered by Statens Vegvesen (the Norwegian Public Roads Administration) under Forskrift om bruk av kjøretøy and Vegtrafikkloven §15. The process has three core steps: avregistrering (de-registration), eksportbevis (export certificate), and physical plate handover. Each step has strict deadlines tied to the moment you cease to be a Norwegian-registered keeper.
Avregistrering is requested via the Min Side service on vegvesen.no using BankID or MinID, or in person at a trafikkstasjon. The cost is NOK 0 for direct export (versus NOK 200-1000 for ordinary deregistration with vehicle stored in Norway). The eksportbevis is issued in Norwegian and English and is recognised by all EEA registration authorities. Non-EEA destinations may require apostille — Brønnøysundregistrene issues these for NOK 145 with 5-15 working days processing.
Engangsavgift (registration tax) refund
Under Stortingets engangsavgiftvedtak, the registration tax (engangsavgift) paid when the vehicle was first registered in Norway is refundable on export. The refund formula uses an age-depreciation curve: 100% in the first year, then linear depreciation reaching 0% at year 8. From 2024, the refund is restricted to vehicles registered after 2018 and exported within 36 months of registration — older or longer-held vehicles receive no refund.
The refund is paid by Skatteetaten, not Statens Vegvesen. Apply via Altinn using form RD-0029 within 12 months of export. Required documents: original registration certificate, eksportbevis, foreign registration certificate (proving the vehicle was actually re-registered abroad), and proof of payment of the original engangsavgift. Refunds typically arrive within 60-90 days. The new EV exemption rules of 2026 (gradual phase-in of road tax for electric vehicles) do not affect the refund calculation for vehicles already in service.
Customs procedures: EEA vs. third country
| Destination | Norwegian customs | Destination customs |
|---|---|---|
| EEA member (Spain, Sweden, France, etc.) | Eksportbevis sufficient; no customs declaration | Local registration tax may apply (e.g. Spanish IEDMT) |
| UK (post-Brexit) | Customs declaration; preferential origin if EUR.1 issued | UK VAT 20% + import duty 10% if <6 months ownership |
| Switzerland | Eksportbevis + Swiss customs Form 13.20A | Swiss VAT 7.7% on residual value if non-resident moving |
| USA / Canada | Apostille + commercial invoice; Form CBP-7501 | Vehicle must meet FMVSS/CMVSS safety standards |
| Other third country | Apostille; commercial invoice with VIN; possible export licence | Country-specific; often substantial duties |
Removal-goods exemption for personal vehicles
Most EEA destinations recognise a removal-goods (flyttegods) exemption: when a private person moves their normal residence between EEA countries with a personally-owned vehicle owned for at least 6 months and used for the same period in the country of origin, the destination country waives import duties and (often) registration taxes. Documentation required:
- Norwegian registration certificate showing your name as keeper for at least 6 months;
- Eksportbevis from Statens Vegvesen;
- Folkeregisteret cessation certificate (utflyttingsbekreftelse);
- New foreign empadronamiento, atestado, or equivalent residence registration;
- Proof of insurance covering the transit and the destination period.
The exemption is time-limited — typically you must register the vehicle in the destination country within 6 months of taking up residence. Spain enforces this strictly (Real Decreto 1571/1993). Portugal, France, and Germany allow 12 months in practice. After the deadline, full local registration tax (Spanish IEDMT, Portuguese ISV, German Kfz-Steuer) applies on the residual value.
Plate return and insurance
Norwegian plates must be physically returned to a trafikkstasjon or destroyed under recorded procedure. Keeping plates as a souvenir is illegal under Vegtrafikkloven §31. The trafikkstasjon issues a ’plateinnleveringsbevis’ which together with the eksportbevis closes the Norwegian registration record.
Insurance: Norwegian insurance ends on the date of avregistrering. For transit between Norway and the destination country, you need a ’green card’ (internasjonalt forsikringsbevis) from your insurer covering both countries — typically issued for 30 days at no extra cost. Non-EEA destinations may require purchasing transit insurance at the border.
Import VAT in Norway when bringing a foreign-registered car back
Many emigrants return temporarily to Norway with the vehicle now foreign-registered. Tolletaten allows up to 12 months of temporary use without re-registration if you remain non-resident, under Tolloven §6-1. Beyond 12 months, or if you re-establish Norwegian residency, the vehicle must be re-registered (omregistrert) in Norway and engangsavgift becomes payable again — though credit is given for any refund received on export.
Special vehicles: motorhomes, classic cars, EVs
Motorhomes (bobiler) follow the same export procedure but enjoy a higher engangsavgift refund cap. Classic cars (registered >30 years) are exempt from engangsavgift refund (and no refund applies). Electric vehicles registered before 2026 enjoyed full engangsavgift exemption, so no refund is available. Hybrid vehicles registered between 2017 and 2022 may have residual refund value — calculate via Skatteetaten’s engangsavgift calculator before applying.
FAQ
Refund timeline?
4-12 weeks via Statens Vegvesen.
Worth exporting older car?
Usually no — refund small, transport cost high.
UK import after Brexit?
10% duty + 20% VAT, exemption for personal goods >6 months use.
Insurance gap?
Norwegian insurance valid 30-60 days, then local insurance needed.
Registration cost in new country?
100-300 EUR typically.
Can I get a refund of engangsavgift if my car is older than 8 years?
No. The depreciation curve reaches 0% at year 8. From 2024, the refund is also restricted to vehicles registered after 2018 and exported within 36 months. Older vehicles receive only the eksportbevis with no tax refund.
Is the eksportbevis enough to register my car in Spain or Portugal?
It is the core document. You will additionally need a Spanish ITV (technical inspection) or Portuguese IPO certificate, proof of empadronamiento or atestado, your NIE/NIF, and Spanish/Portuguese liability insurance. The whole foreign registration takes 4-12 weeks depending on regional administration.
How long does the engangsavgift refund take?
60-90 days after a complete application via Altinn (form RD-0029), assuming all documents are correct. Skatteetaten requests the foreign registration certificate before paying — apply only after the vehicle is registered abroad.
Can I drive on Norwegian plates in my new country while waiting for foreign registration?
EEA destinations typically allow 30-180 days on Norwegian plates with valid Norwegian insurance and a green card. Spain allows 30 days, Portugal 6 months, France 12 months for new residents. Beyond the local deadline, fines and seizure are possible.
Flyto Relocation arranges vehicle transport. Get a quote.
See also: All Norway moving guides.
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